Sanitary device for removing debris from a nostril

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for removing dried nasal mucus, blood, and other debris from a nostril is disclosed. The apparatus generally includes an elongated shaft with bristles attached to one end of it. The bristles are designed to remove the debris from the nostril by inserting and twisting them around within the nostril.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to sanitary devices and, more particularly, to a sanitary device used to clean inside your nostrils.

Dried nasal mucus, colloquially referred to as “boogers”, and blood stuck inside an individual's nostrils lead to discomfort and potential air restriction. Common techniques to remove the dried mucus are the use of a finger and tissues. However, a finger is not shaped or sized for this particular purpose, meaning that it cannot fully reach into the user's nostrils. Fingers also often have the unintended result of introducing bacteria to the individual's body, and also have the tendency of pushing the dried mucus and/or blood further up the nostril. Tissues are only as effective as the user is at creating sufficient pressure/velocity when blowing to force the dried mucus and/or blood out.

As can be seen, there is a need for a sanitary device specifically configured to remove dried mucus and/or blood from a user's nostril.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a device is disclosed that includes: an elongated shaft comprising a first rounded end portion dimensioned to be inserted into a nostril and a second end portion configured to be grasped; and a plurality of bristles attached to the first rounded end portion, the plurality of bristles being configured to remove debris from the nostril.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of removing debris from a nostril is disclosed, with the method comprising the steps of: providing a device comprising: an elongated shaft comprising a first rounded end portion dimensioned to be inserted into the nostril and a second end portion; and a plurality of bristles attached to the first rounded end portion, the plurality of bristles being configured to remove debris from the nostril; grasping the second end portion; inserting the first rounded end portion into the nostril; and twisting the device to remove the debris from the nostril.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following figures are included to illustrate certain aspects of the present disclosure and should not be viewed as exclusive embodiments. The subject matter disclosed is capable of considerable modifications, alterations, combinations, and equivalents in form and function, without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the embodiment of the present invention, shown in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The subject disclosure is described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure such that one skilled in the art will be enabled to make and use the present invention. It may be evident, however, that the present disclosure may be practiced without some of these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the present invention has not been described in detail so that the present invention is not unnecessarily obscured

Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention is a device for removing debris from a nostril in a sanitary manner. This device will remove nose obstructions such as boogers, mucus, and dried blood sanitarily. Prior to the present invention, the only way to somewhat effective method to remove debris was with your finger or a device not meant to be stuck up your nose. The present invention is specifically designed for the cleaning of your nose safely and sanitarily. It is designed to fit up a user's nostrils and clean the inner part of the nose while keeping it clean and sanitary.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3 , a sanitary nostril cleaner device 10 is shown. The device 10 includes an elongated cylindrical shaft 12 with a flat end portion 12B and a rounded end portion 12A. The flat end portion 12B functions as a handle for a user to grasp, while the rounded end portion 12A serves as a region in which a plurality of bundles/groups of bristles 14 extend outwardly from. The shaft 12 is, preferably, formed from a polymer with significant rigidity to resist significant deformation when inserted into a nostril 11, but flexible enough that the user's nostril 11 is not significantly irritated by the bristles 14 as the user moves the device around (explained in greater detail below). However, as those with skill in the art will appreciate, other materials for the shaft 12 may be appropriate and are within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

The bristles 14 are preferably formed from nylon which gives them an ideal balance between flexibility and rigidity for operation. Referring to FIG. 2 , the bundles of bristles 14 extend laterally outwards on sides of the rounded end portion 12A (around its circumference) and upwardly on the rounded tip portion. Thus, the bristles 14 are provided in several different directions, increasing the effectiveness of the device 10 when in use.

In use, and as shown in FIG. 3 , the rounded end portion 12A is inserted into a nostril 11 of a user. Once inserted, the device 10 can be moved upwardly and downwardly as well as twisted back and forth in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. The nylon bristles 14 loosen and/or dislodge dried nasal mucus, blood, and other debris from within the nostril 11. This causes said debris (the term “debris” including the aforementioned dried nasal mucus and blood) to either directly fall out of the nostril 11 or become stuck to one or more of the bundles of bristles 14. The handle 12B allows the user to grip and maneuver the device 10. This process can be performed repeatedly on one or both nostrils 11 until they are clean. Once one or both nostrils 11 are clean, the device 10 is removed from the nostril 11 and can be disposed of in a garbage receptacle.

While specifically designed for use in nostrils, those with skill in the art will appreciate that the device 10 may have other uses. For example, it can be used to clean debris out of a belly button or used to scrub between toes.

To make the device 10, commodity items, such as the bristles 14 and shaft 12, are first procured. The bristles 14 are then separated into bundles/groups and woven or otherwise attached to the shaft 12 at regular intervals to create an integral unit. Exemplary dimensions may be as follows. These dimensions are only provided to give the reader a sense of the overall small size of the device 10, and they are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention unless explicitly stated. An overall length of the device 10 may be approximately 76 millimeters (mm) (plus or minus 5 mm). The shaft diameter may be approximately 5 mm (plus or minus 1 mm). The bristle section (which includes all of the groups of bristles 14 coupled to the rounded end portion 12A) may have an overall length (in the same direction as the shaft length) of approximately 13 mm (plus or minus 2 mm), and have an effective diameter of approximately 12 mm (plus or minus 1 mm). Accordingly, since that effective diameter also includes the diameter of the shaft 12, each bristle is approximately 3.5 mm in length (plus or minus 1 mm).

While one or more preferred embodiments are disclosed, many other implementations will occur to one of ordinary skill in the art and are all within the scope of the invention. Each of the various embodiments described above may be combined with other described embodiments in order to provide multiple features. Furthermore, while the foregoing describes a number of separate embodiments of the apparatus and method of the present invention, what has been described herein is merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Other arrangements, methods, modifications, and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are therefore also considered to be within the scope of the present invention, which is not to be limited except by the claims that follow.

While apparatuses and methods are described in terms of “comprising,” “containing,” or “including” various components or steps, the apparatuses and methods can also “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the various components and steps. All numbers and ranges disclosed above may vary by some amount. Whenever a numerical range with a lower limit and an upper limit is disclosed, any number and any included range falling within the range is specifically disclosed. In particular, every range of values (of the form, “from about a to about b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a to b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a-b”) disclosed herein is to be understood to set forth every number and range encompassed within the broader range of values. Also, the terms in the claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee. Moreover, the indefinite articles “a” or “an,” as used in the claims, are defined herein to mean one or more than one of the elements that it introduces. If there is any conflict in the usages of a word or term in this specification and one or more patent or other documents that may be incorporated herein by reference, the definitions that are consistent with this specification should be adopted. Moreover, the use of directional terms such as above, below, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, and the like are used in relation to the illustrative embodiments as they are depicted in the figures, the upward or upper direction being toward the top of the corresponding figure and the downward or lower direction being toward the bottom of the corresponding figure.

As used herein, the phrase “at least one of” preceding a series of items, with the terms “and” or “or” to separate any of the items, modifies the list as a whole, rather than each member of the list (i.e., each item). The phrase “at least one of” allows a meaning that includes at least one of any one of the items, and/or at least one of any combination of the items, and/or at least one of each of the items. By way of example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” or “at least one of A, B, or C” each refer to only A, only B, or only C; any combination of A, B, and C; and/or at least one of each of A, B, and C. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device comprising: an elongated shaft comprising a first rounded end portion dimensioned to be inserted into a nostril and a second end portion configured to be grasped; and a plurality of bristles attached to the first rounded end portion, the plurality of bristles being configured to remove debris from the nostril.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of bristles extend laterally and upwardly from the first rounded end portion.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of bristles are divided into groups of bristles that are distributed about the circumference of the elongated shaft.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the plurality of bristles are formed from nylon.
 5. A method of removing debris from a nostril, the method comprising the steps of: providing a device comprising: an elongated shaft comprising a first rounded end portion dimensioned to be inserted into the nostril and a second end portion; and a plurality of bristles attached to the first rounded end portion, the plurality of bristles being configured to remove debris from the nostril; grasping the second end portion; inserting the first rounded end portion into the nostril; and twisting the device to remove the debris from the nostril.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the plurality of bristles extend laterally and upwardly from the first rounded end portion.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the plurality of bristles are divided into groups of bristles that are distributed about the circumference of the elongated shaft.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the plurality of bristles are formed from nylon. 